Muromachi Period

1392-1573

Following the fall of the Kamakura military government, the Ashikaga family established a new military a regime in Kyoto. The Ashikaga shoguns were great patrons of the arts, and in many cases skilled artists themselves. They encouraged trade with China, and Japanese Zen monks who served as envoys brought back a wealth of Chinese art objects. Great Zen monasteries developed into intellectual and cultural centers. Monks who were amateur painters produced the first ink paintings in Japan, but professional artists quickly adopted the technique. Zen monks also transmitted the Chinese custom of drinking powdered tea, leading to the development of the Japanese tea ceremony.